CHAP. I.] VIOLACE^, 283 



ones are larger and stronger, in the same pro- 

 portion as the spur is larger which is intended 

 to conceal them. The pistil is of the same 

 shape, with, the same curiously constructed and 

 perforated style, which is bent in its narrow 

 part and swelled out into a hollow globe at the 

 tip ; and in both species, the ovary is one-celled 

 with three parietal placentas, that is, with three 

 nerve-like projections from the sides of the 

 capsule, having four rows of seeds attached to 

 each. The capsule looks like a smooth shining 

 berry, and it remains partially shrouded by the 

 calyx, till the seeds are ripe ; when it bursts 

 open with an elastic spring, and divides into 

 three valves, each of which has the placenta 

 bearing the seeds in its centre. 



In all these points the Heartsease and the 

 Violet are alike ; but they differ materially in 

 the leaves, which in the Violet are broad and 

 heart-shaped, w^ithout stipules ; but in the 

 Heartsease are small and ovate, with such very 

 large and deeply-cut stipules, that they are by 

 most persons mistaken for the leaves. I may 

 here be asked what are stipules, and in what 

 do they differ from leaves ? In answer to the 

 first question, I can only inform my readers that 

 stipules are generally little leaf-like bodies, 

 which seem to act as attendants upon leaves, as 

 bracts seem to wait upon flowers ; but in what 



